Orlando Pirates reclaimed second spot on the Betway Premiership table with a late 1-0 win away to Richards Bay on Sunday afternoon.
Evidence Makgopa, who bagged a brace in midweek against Polokwane City, continued on the bench while Gilberto and club captain Innocent Maela returning to the side.
The Natal Rich Boys were keen to hit the ground running after the opening ten minutes through a free-kick by Lwandile Mabuya, but he failed to bother Sipho Chaine.
At the other end, the Buccaneers looked to make a move involving Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng count though the host tracked back and cleared their lines.
Gilberto came extremely close on the half-hour mark courtesy of an angled attempt from a tight position around the area, but he dragged well off goal.
Pirates continued to have the lion share of chances in a tense spell and saw the versatile Deon Hotto go out wide to get a shot in from a tight angle, but Ian Otieno made a stop.
The Buccaneers made a substitution before the start of the second half, with Nkosinathi Sibisi replacing Thabiso Sesane, while the host brought in Tlakusani Mthethwa for Thabisa Ndleu.
Chaine was called to work ten minutes after halftime and pulled up to thwart a dangerous looking effort from Justice Figareido and kept the score goalless.
However, Pirates replied a few moments later where Mofokeng made space out from the left of the box and released a shot but Otieno was on hand for a save.
Pirates gave development graduate Mohau Nkota his first top flight appearance near the last ten minutes as he replaced Gilberto.
The Buccaneers struck the winner eight minutes from time when Kabelo Dlamini stepped up to take a free-kick in a promising position and nestled in a stunner to give Otieno no chance.
Brandon Truter's men pushed numbers in the hope of an equaliser with the minutes ticking by, though the Buccaneers showed nerves of steel and grabbed a third successive win in the league.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Otieno, Allan, Mcineka, Dube, Mabua, Mabuya, Mhlongo, Sithebe, Ndelu, Figareido, Sibanyoni
Subs: Magoola, Kutumela, Gcaba, Mthethwa, Ndaba, Dube, Conco, Buthelezi, Mbuthuma
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Hotto, Van Rooyen, Sesane, Maela, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Gilberto, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Nkota, Moleleki, Rasebotja, Mako, Kimvuidi, Dlamini, Makgopa, Sibisi